Improvement in scrubbing-machines



'W.1. GARD.

scrubbing-Machines,

N0, 145,796 Patented Dec.23,1873.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

\VILLIAM J. GARD, OAF VINONA, MINNESOTA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SCRUBBlNG-MAJHINES.v

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,796, dated Decembtr 23,1873; application tiled October 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM J. GARD, of Winona, in the county of Winona and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scrubbing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to scrubbing-machines for scrubbing floors; and consists of a watertank, mountedon a frame, which is supported by casters, and a set of rotating brushes, which are held to the floor by means of a spiral spring. The brushes are caused to operate by means of an upright shaft, which has a pinion at its upper end, which engages with a segmentgear, which is operated by a hand-lever.

The machine is pushed over the floor by one hand o f the operator, while the other hand operates the lever which rotates the brushes. The machine has also combined with it a rubber scraper, which scrapes the floor, and freesl the top board and gearing removed. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation, showing the arrangement of parts. Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

A is the frame, which is supported on casters j j. B B B B are the brushes, which are attached to cross-arms by means of thumbscrews. These arms have a square opening in the center, where they cross, to receive the lower end of the shaft b. The brushes are held down by means of the spring p on the shaft b. D is the water-tank, and c is a water-tight tube, through which the shaft b passes. This tube serves to keep the water away from the shaft, and consequently makes a packingbox unnecessary, andsaves friction thereby. F is a casing, which surrounds the brushes,

in its side, to correspond with the hole c' in the tube E. This may be operated by moving the stop up and down, or by turning it around the water escapes at o. c is a segment-gear, pivoted at d., and operated by the hand-lever e. C is the handle by which the operator propels the machine. G is a scraper, which is situated in front of the machine, and is held in slides k. Its ends are curved forward to keep the water from spreading, and tends to keep it toward the center of the scraper. In the lower edge of this scraper is inserted a strip of rubber, m., to come in contact with the floor. It is held to or upon the door by means ofthe lever n, at the pleasure of the operator.

I am aware that rotary brushes are not new, but have been used by means of traction-wheels geared to the shaft that runs them. These wheels are very liable to slip on the iioor when the same is covered with soap-suds, and are, therefore, objectionable.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a scrubbing-machine, the water-conducting pipe E, having an opening, c', stop l1., and handle g, in combination with the watertank D, brushes B, shaft a, pinion b, and segmental rack c, all operating substantially as described.

2. The curved scraper G, having on its lower edge the rubber `strip m, in combination with the grooves k k and the lever a, for elevating and depressing the scraper, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of September, 1873.

\VILLIAM J. GARD. Vtnesses J Anus HARRIsoN, PHILIP GosLIN. 

